This diploma thesis deals with complex issue of American recording industry and its specifics in retail industry. The thesis is composed of three main parts which are being linked with its theme, and they complement one another. The first part is a theoretical framework of American recording industry. The chapters pursue basic terminology of music market, analysis of business environment in the USA and comparison of the recorded music to other entertainment markets. The second part engages in history of the recorded music, yet it specially concentrates on market's outputs, i.e. volume of sold recordings and corresponding revenues for the period 1989-2012. Eventually, the final part thoroughly studies music business, its subjects and principles. Chapters describe and analyze the profile of American music consumer, the theory of music copyright and financial aspects of recording as well as music publishing.